 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2024
WDVA Secretary Completes Goal of Visiting All 72 County and 11 Tribal Veteran Service Offices
MADISON—Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary-designee James Bond recently reached an important milestone—in just over a year, he traveled to every one of Wisconsin’s 72 counties and 11 tribes to personally consult with each of the state’s 83 County and Tribal Veteran Service Offices. CVSOs and TVSOs are crucial in advocating for veterans in their communities and connecting veterans and their families with federal and state benefits.
“I want to thank the men and women I met over the past year who welcomed me into their offices and shared their challenges and successes in supporting veterans,” said Secretary-designee Bond. “WDVA cannot do our work without our partners on the ground, especially our County and Tribal Veteran Service Officers. These folks are often the first point of contact for veterans navigating benefits and adjusting to civilian life. Every veteran and everyone who loves a veteran should know who their CVSO or TVSO is, and every Wisconsinite should know about the extraordinary work they do.”
Having an officer in every county and Tribe ensures every veteran has access to an advocate who understands the unique needs of their community and knows how to meet veterans where they are. On the advice of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Veteran Opportunity, Governor Tony Evers invested an additional $1.5 million in CVSO and TVSO offices to help bolster their ongoing veteran advocacy work, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. With recent changes to veteran benefits, including the passage of the PACT Act, CVSOs and TVSOs play a vital role in offering free assistance in navigating benefits.
“I find it is important for Secretary Bond to get to know and understand the uniqueness of every county and Tribe,” said Bruce Wilber, who serves as TVSO for the Menominee Nation, CVSO for Menominee County, and President of the County and Tribal Veteran Service Officers of Wisconsin. “While each county and Tribe has similarities, there are many differences in our state from one end to the other. I am happy that Secretary Bond finds it important to know and understand these things about the veterans he serves.”
To find your CVSO or TVSO, please visit the CTVSOA of Wisconsin website. To see photos from the visits, check out WDVA’s Flickr page.
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For additional information, contact:
WDVA Office of Public Affairs
Colleen Flaherty, Communications Director
608.266.0517
colleen.flaherty@dva.wi.gov
About the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs works on behalf of Wisconsin's veterans community — veterans, their families and their survivors — in recognition of their service and sacrifice to our state and nation. For more information,visit www.WisVets.com.
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